Purpose of Test
1. Determine if the changes to the Cockpit seat was helpful in ground
handling of the aircraft.
2. Changed the seals in the canopy glass and installed stop springs.
3. Handling of aircraft at medium taxing speed.
4. Maneuverability of the pilot while secured in shoulder and seat
belt harness.

At 09:47 pilot was secured into the seat, little uncomfortable reaching
toward the starter, we feel it's something the pilot must get used
to.
At 09:52, engine start at 600 RPM, one minute later increased to 1200
RPM, which caused the wind-stream to again cause the canopy to break
and lay to the side of the fuselage. After emergency shut down and
removal of the canopy and a conference with ground personnel we decided
to run the aircraft without the canopy.
At 10:05 restarting the engine at 1200 RPM, she sounded good. All
gauges were working, and the throttle was responsive. (The noise and
wind without the canopy was almost impossible to handle).
After a few bumps, the radio became loose and was not transmitting.
I could only receive. The radio was working fine the day before and
had no problems. We believe that the seat for the radio was not making
contact. Also some type of stop should be made to hold the radio in
place.
After removing the tire chucks I began slow speed taxi on the grass
to the end of the field. Within a few minutes the aircraft was traveling
at medium speed, making S turns and I felt confident in handling the
aircraft. I feel that the changes that were made to the seat worked
well.
Each time I made a 180 degree turn, I stopped, holding the brakes
while increasing the RPM to 2500, I could feel the aircraft wanting
to break loose. ( I was tempted)
At 10:56 the engine was shut down.

June 27, 2001 15th Ground Testing Run. The weather was VFR and had six support
people for assistance. This test was done to determine whether we had any leaks
in our fuel idle control arm. Also, for the modifications made to the interior
of the cockpit. These modifications included the reduction of the mixture control
arm that was protruding more than was needed for operations. We also extended
the cockpit by removing 2 inches of the rear horizontal shelf. This created
additional leg room for the pilot. At 10:30 A.M., June 27th, the engine was
started using the electric fuel pump and immediately checked for any fuel leaks
on the idle control arm. The pilot was given a "thumbs up" and continued
the run. Within a few seconds we had oil pressure and the fuel pump system was
turned from electric to manual. The engine sounded good. The pilot was in raido
communication with the ground personnel. All instruments checked out, the cockpit
seemed more comfortable than usual because of the cockpit enlargement and was
given a "thumbs up" to do a two mile medium speed taxi run on the
grass. The ground personnel were advising the pilot by radio where any obstacles
were and the pilot, in order to avoid them, had to make S-turns. This is normal
for a tail wheel aircraft. The pilot was given the green light for a medium
speed taxi which is approximately 40 MPH. At this speed, small maneuvered S-turns
are required. Unknowingly, the canopy locking handle had worked itself free
and during one of the S-turns the prop wash ripped the canopy off the aircraft.
No damage was done to the aircraft but the canopy had excessive damage. This
has all been repaired and some newer modifications have been made to the plexiglass,
similar to the original Messerschmitt design. We anticipate our final ground
testing within the next week and will be ready for a final FAA inspection before
flight testing.

On June 19th, we commenced taxi testing the 109. The aircraft handled well
and we felt confident for a successful high-speed taxi run. The pilot
inadvertantly left the locking handle for the canopy open, resulting in
damage to the structure of the canopy. We have made repairs and expect to
commence testing within a week. We will endeavor to keep you informed as we
progress into our maiden flight.

Just a little update on our progress. After weeks of repairing the fuel leaks
and making modifications to the 109's fuel system we also made a few cockpit
alterations which included extending the cockpit's length, changing the
mixture controls and various other cockpit items.